The Birth of a Photographer

Cades Cove, Townsend, TN

10 years ago a guy I was dating bought me a camera for Christmas and every time this year I think of him and his wonderful gift.  He saw something in me that I didn't know yet and he brought it to life by a simple gift.  I never once photographed a person or anything of the sort.  I started out taking pictures of landscapes and animals.  I spent countless hours in the mountains taking photos. Not just any mountains, but some of the oldest mountains in the country, in my home state of Tennessee.  The Smoky Mountains became a second home, my go to spot when I needed to regroup or decompress.  It became my quite space where I could reconnect to myself and the earth.  I found myself in those mountains.

For many years I wanted so badly to move away from this state and seek out a different life.  In my eyes Tennessee was boring and backward.  But through the lens of a camera I fell in love with my state and the beauty it holds.  I began to see things that many of us take for granted and have forgotten.  I f
ound the beauty in the things we became accustomed to and no longer saw.  I began to learn the history of our region of East Tennessee, became even more immersed in our culture and lifestyle.  Our culture is like none other in the country or the state.  East Tennesseans are a breed all to their own and stand together through tough times.  We are the heart of this state.

Cades Cove, Townsend, TN

Monday, we suffered from a huge heartbreak, we lost thousands of acres of our National Forest, close to 16,000 acres to one of the largest wildfires this year
.  People lost their homes, their businesses their pets, their families and everything they held dear to them.  14,000 people have been displaced and have yet to be able to return to see if their homes are still standing or not.  Not only has a wonderful community been effected but the whole region.  Many of us spent our weekends cruising the strip trolling for guys or girls back in high school because it was the cool thing to do back then, or we had family vacations to the great city of Gatlinburg.  It became a a part of us and our lives.  What most don't understand, especially those who have never been here, is how magical these mountains are and how much they become a part of your soul.  They seep into you without you knowing.

The Village, Gatlinburg, TN

Many times I have left these mountains to go on trips, on of which was my recent trip to L.A.  Yes I loved L.A., so much that I considered moving, but the minute my eyes landed on those mountains as I flew over Alcoa, my heart said, "No, this is your home."  You can take the mountain girl out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the girl.  Mountain Strong and Proud.

Atomic City Photography currently has our first EVER calendar on sale through MagCloud.  All proceeds from the calendar will be going to the My People Foundation ran by Dolly Parton.  $5.60 is what it costs to have them printed through MagCloud and what is left out of that $20.00 purchase is $14.40 and that is what will be going to the My People Fund.  To find out more about the My People Fund or to donate directly you may click here.  Or you can purchase a calendar from us and we will be sending a lump sum to the Dollywood Foundation for the My People Fund.  You can find the link to purchase the calendar by clicking on this link http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1199385?__r=501926


Much love to all from your local homegrown photographer,

Christy